George P. Bush Announces Run for Texas Attorney General

George P. Bush greets mourners in front of the casket of his grandfather the late former President George H.W. Bush as he lies in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, Washington, on Dec. 4, 2018. Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush declared his candidacy for Texas attorney general on June 2, challenging fellow Republican Ken Paxton.

Paxton has held the post since 2015 and will be up for reelection in 2022.

Bush is the son of former Florida Republican Gov. Jeb Bush and the nephew of former President George W. Bush.

Bush made the announcement during an event at a bar in Austin, Texas. He touted the conservative agenda he implemented at the Texas General Land Office and circumspectly accused Paxton’s office of corruption.

“But we’ve got our own problems in Austin. We have a web of corruption and lies that affect one of the highest offices in our land, and it’s time for a change,” Bush said. “We have a scandal that is plaguing one of our highest offices, and I believe conservatives should have a choice in the Republican primary.”

Bush appeared to be referring to an anonymously sourced report by The Associated Press published last year that claimed Paxton was under investigation by the FBI. Paxton’s office had declined to comment on the report at the time.

The two candidates are vying for an endorsement from former President Donald Trump. Bush is the only member of the family to support Trump and mentioned the former president by name in the speech announcing his candidacy and in his debut campaign video. Meanwhile, Paxton filed the highest-profile lawsuit challenging the outcome of the 2020 election in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan, and Wisconsin. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case.

Trump’s endorsement will be the most consequential in the primary race. The former president has said he likes both candidates and will announce his preference soon.

“I like them both very much. I’ll be making my endorsement and recommendation to the great people of Texas in the not-so-distant future,” Trump said in a statement.

Bush wrote on Twitter recently that he had spoken to Trump.

“Great to speak with President Trump to discuss the future of Texas and how we are keeping up the fight to put America first. I appreciate the words of encouragement and support. Big things coming soon!” Bush wrote on May 24.